Below is a sampling of inspirational and informative comments shared by speakers at Meredith over the years.

“We are the most powerful nation on earth—economically, militarily, politically—and with that power comes a great responsibility… the whole world should know that the United States of America is a champion of peace and is working … to bring disputing parties together. To me, that is a sign of greatness.” —Jimmy Carter, September 11, 1986

 

“I enjoy speaking to young women and reminding them of the all-too-recent history of women and the law. There have been dramatic changes in conditions for women in the United States, and those changes have occurred for the most part, in my lifetime.”—Sandra Day O’Connor, March 11, 1991

 

“As for the ceilings that you read and hear about out there—barriers to women in business or academics or science—I’ll let you in on a secret: those ceilings are made to be broken. And, it’s up to you to break them.”—Judy Woodruff, May 11, 2003

 

“Never take for granted the struggle and sacrifice of the courageous women who were your trailblazers. I could depend in my career on the help of women who gained a foothold on the executive ladder and then reached a hand down.” —Elizabeth Dole, May 13, 2001

 

“If I am free, it is not because others are not. I am free because others are free.”—Elie Wiesel, September 17, 2003

 

“It is important for all young women who aspire to success in whatever field … know your power, follow your dreams, have confidence in your education, have a plan and other people will follow you.”—Nancy Pelosi, November 2, 2007

 

“I can’t think of a more profound investment for the next generation than a healthy, pristine environment.”—Jeff Corwin, February 25, 2009

 

“Never take for granted the struggle and sacrifice of the courageous women who were your trail blazers. I could depend in my career on the help of women who gained a foothold on the executive ladder and then reached a hand down.”—Elizabeth Dole, May 13, 2001

 

“Let’s imagine what a 100 percent sustainable world would look like and then work toward it. Of course we’re not going to get there tomorrow, but we can begin to imagine it.”—William McDonough, April 12, 2006

 

“One problem with our politics nowadays is that many people who run for office think the end should be being popular and holding onto office rather than doing the right thing.”—Michael Beschloss, October 18, 2007

 

“What is so shocking to me is how many people born in this country and raised in American schools are not literate.”—Cokie Roberts, March 30, 1999

 

“Non-violence is to violence what light is to dark.”—Arun Gandhi, March 29, 1995